The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter

The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Rodolphe (roh-DOHLF), an impoverished poet who takes up with Mimi and later writes a successful book, but who is not lucky in love.

Mimi (mee-MEE), “La Bohème” (boh- EHM), who becomes the mistress of Rodolphe, and briefly of Paul. She dies grieving for Rodolphe.

Alexander Schaunard (ah-lehk- SAHN-dr shoh-NAHR), a composer and portrait painter, ejected from his studio in the Latin Quarter.

Marcel (mahr-SEHL), a painter who takes over Schaunard’s studio.

Mother Cadet (kah-DAY), whose rabbit stew attracts the penniless Bohemians.

Colline (koh-LEEN), a philosopher who shares his stew with Schaunard.

The Uncle of Rodolphe, who wants him to write a manual on stove-making.

Mlle Musette (mew-ZEHT-), the mistress of Marcel, and others, who gives a party for the artists.

The Councilor of State, who jilts Musette.

M. Benoit (beh-NWAH), the landlord of Rodolphe, whose room he rents to Mimi.

Momus (moh-MEWS), the owner of Cafe Momus. He is generous to artists.

Barbemuche (bahrb-MEWSH), who pays for the artists’ Christmas Eve in the Café Momus.

M. Maurice (moh-REES), a temporary lover of Musette.

Viscount Paul, a lover of Mimi.

Phémie (fay-MEE), the mistress of Schaunard.

Bibliography:

Baldick, Robert. The First Bohemian: The Life of Henry Murger. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1961. Definitive biography of Murger with an introduction giving background on the period and an extensive (although mostly French) bibliography. Offers biographical information about Murger and his literary career and discusses Murger’s style and the basis of characters and situations in his book.

Josephs, Herbert. “Murger’s Parisian Scenes and Puccini’s La Bohème.” In La Bohème, by Henry Murger, translated by Elizabeth Ward Hughes. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith Books, 1988. Addresses specific aspects of Murger’s writing, as well as the transformation of the book into a libretto for Puccini’s opera.

Lewis, D. B. Wyndham. Introduction to La Bohème, by Henry Murger, translated by Elizabeth Ward Hughes. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith Books, 1988. The introduction to the first translation, which discusses the history of the book, aspects of Murger’s style, and the value of his writing.

Moss, Arthur, and Evalyn Marvel. The Legend of the Latin Quarter: Henry Murger and the Birth of Bohemia. New York: Beechhurst Press, 1946. Gives an excellent overview and background information to The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter.

Seigel, Jerrold. Bohemian Paris: Culture, Politics, and the Boundaries of Bourgeois Life, 1830-1930. New York: Viking, 1986. Discusses the history of the concept of bohemian lifestyle in Paris; includes background and specific discussion of Murger’s writing and his influence; credits Murger with having defined bohemia in his writing.

Dictionary Tip:

Lookup any word on eNotes with our dictionary. Highlight the word and press SHIFT + D for a definition, or SHIFT + T for a synonym.